Loire Valley (Val De Loire) Overview

Named for the river running through it, the Loire Valley is home to some of the most beautiful renaissance castles and châteaux that France has to offer. Your childhood fairy-tale dreams come fully to life here as you take to the countryside to explore the homes of kings and queens.

Biking through the Loire is one of the more popular activities people undertake when visiting the region; the long river paths and hills provide a challenging but pleasant biking experience. Taking a bike provides freedom for the traveller who can bike between château and rest their behinds in exploring the grand gardens of Villandry or the fairytale setting of Chenonceau.

But there is more to do in the Loire Valley than just biking around green fields and gazing at châteaux. The cities themselves have fascinating histories and several brilliant and whacky museums to explore. Tours, one of the student capitals in France (after Paris), manages to combine a lively nightlife scene with an awful lot of historical buildings. Blois boasts an amazing château and a plethore of intricately designed churches, whilst Orléans prides itself in its Joan of Arc history. Whatever your pleasure, be it nightlife, museums, sights or food, The Loire Valley will suit even the most history-hating traveller with its stunning natural beauties and leisurely way of life.